Forget leaving the EU, Megxit is where the drama is really kicking off this week
Harry and Meghan under fire for ‘disrespecting’ the Queen
Ever since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they were quitting their lives as senior royals, it’s been a bumpy road. But last week, Megxit reached breaking point after it was revealed the Queen banned them from using the word “royal” in their Sussex Royal branding. Harry and Meghan released a statement angering many with their wording, which appeared to include a thinly-veiled dig at the Queen.
In a statement on their website, they said pointedly, “While there is not any jurisdiction by the monarchy over the use of the word ‘royal’ overseas, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use any iteration of the word ‘royal’ in any territory.”
They also appeared to complain the palace was treating them differently to other family members. “While there is precedent for other titled members of the Royal Family to seek employment outside of the institution, for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, a 12-month review period has been put in place. Per the agreement The Duke and Duchess of Sussex understand that they are required to step back from royal duties and not undertake representative duties on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen.”
Their words did not go down well with thousands of Brits who took to the internet in their droves, with many branding them as “selfish”, “disrespectful”, “petulant”, “rude” and viewing it as “the ultimate betrayal” against the Queen
and the royal family.
However, Meghan, 38, reportedly told friends that it’s she and Harry, 35, who should feel angry, as they are the ones who’ve been betrayed. She apparently believes the couple – who are parents to nine-monthold son Archie – are being “picked on” and the restrictions being placed on them are “payback” for wanting to be independent.
A friend of hers told a newspaper, “Meghan said that [she and Harry] were left with no choice but to make a public statement. She said if anyone should feel insulted, it should be them. They never intended to capitalise on the word royal, and to insinuate they were somehow abusing their privileges is absurd… She said she and Harry will continue to rise above jealousy and pettiness and focus on the good they are creating and on being the best parents to Archie. She said she will continue to champion Harry because out of everyone, he has the most integrity and loyalty.”
In their statement Meghan and Harry – who say they will split their time between the UK and Canada once they officially leave their roles on 31 March – also spoke about the need for them to be protected by security, although now there is a huge question mark over who will be funding the bill. Since relocating to Canada in November, the Canadian
government (ie Canadian taxpayers) has paid for it, but last week it announced that will end once they leave the frontline of the royal family this month.
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex choosing to relocate to Canada on a part-time basis presented our government with a unique and unprecedented set of circumstances,” said Canada’s federal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair. “The RCMP has been engaged with officials in the UK from the very beginning regarding security considerations. As the duke and duchess are currently recognised as Internationally Protected Persons, Canada has an obligation to provide security assistance on an as needed basis. The assistance will cease in the coming weeks, in keeping with their change in status.” So, it is unclear who will pay the estimated £20million a year, with a large swathe of the British public objecting to paying if the Sussexes are no longer representing the country.
Last week, Harry came back to the UK for his Invictus Games
commitments and insisted he should just be called “Harry” rather than Duke or Prince. At the time of going to press, Meghan was expected to be in London to carry out her final royal duties and attend Commonwealth Day at
Westminster Abbey on Sunday 9 March. Then they properly start their new life and heat ’s insiders say it’s definitely Meghan who is calling the shots.
“Harry is such a different person now from the laid-back,
‘Harry’s whole life is now about making his wife happy’
happy-go-lucky guy he was a couple of years ago. He seems to have this ultra-earnest, rather brow-beaten energy around him now. He used to always be laughing and joking and it says a lot that he’s just not like that any more,” our source says. “He’s constantly focussing on what Meghan wants and asks for her input on everything in his life, from business decisions to what he eats or wears and, of course, who he associates with now he’s on this different life path. They have a list of people, and anyone who’s not supported them has a giant cross against their name. Harry doesn’t really talk to anyone who’s not on this list, and every morning, he will discuss with Meghan what he’s doing for the day ahead. His schedule and meetings are all cross-checked, and any meetings or trips away are discussed in advance, too. He loves his wife deeply and every decision is made with her in mind – his whole life is now about doing what will make her happy.”
While Harry will always put the happiness of his wife and son above everything, we’re told he does feel sad for what has happened and is now very distant from his dad Prince Charles and brother Prince William.
“It was never their intention for it to play out the way it has,” our source adds. “They both felt they needed to step away to gain proper happiness, but it has come at a cost. Harry has always been very close to the Queen and he would hate to think of her as upset. He also didn’t want all the resentment and anger from the public. But he also feels he could’ve been given more support from his family. It was such a hard decision and only time will tell if it was the right one.” n